In late August 2025, a coalition of three health-focused non-governmental organisations concluded an intensive three-day medical mission and training workshop at the Akim Oda Government Hospital, treating over 200 patients and equipping local health professionals with advanced clinical and emergency care skills. The initiative was spearheaded by Africa Partners Medical, Ghana (APMG) in collaboration with the Ghana Brain and Spine Foundation (GBSF), the Spine and Neurocare Foundation, and Kusudi International Incorporated, marking a landmark intervention in a region where access to specialised neurological services has long been scarce.
Patients presenting at the outreach exhibited a spectrum of complex conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, spinal stenosis, Parkinson’s disease, cervical myelopathy, and various gait disorders, many of which necessitated not only diagnostic assessment but also ongoing rehabilitation support. By focusing on these under-served populations in the Birim Central Municipality, the programme addressed a critical healthcare void, ensuring that residents who would otherwise struggle to reach urban neurology centres received timely, expert attention.
Beyond direct patient care, the mission featured a Continuing Professional Development workshop tailored for physician assistants, nurses, midwives, and allied health personnel. Participants honed competencies in basic life support, airway management, neurology and neurosurgery protocols, pain and rehabilitation strategies, emergency response techniques, and the management of high-risk pregnancies.
“ We’re here to improve patient care and enhance the knowledge of local health professionals in neurorehabilitation and spine care ”
David Frempong, Chief Executive Officer of APMG, explained that this dual approach of service delivery and capacity building was central to the annual programme’s design. “We focus on building capacity in underserved regions, especially in diagnosing and treating nervous system disorders,” Frempong said. “Our goal is to empower health workers with both technical skills and professional values”. Leadership of the clinical team was provided by Dr. Maxwell Boakye, President of GBSF and the Spine and Neurocare Foundation, who brought together Ghanaian and U.S.-based specialists in a spirit of community solidarity.
The multidisciplinary roster included Dr. Harini Chenna, an anesthesiologist and pain specialist; Dr. Nia Mensah, a physical therapist; Dr. Freida Dodd Glover, a neurologist; and Dr. Mabel Benson, a neurosurgeon, among others. Medical Superintendent Dr. Kwabena Darko Awuku welcomed the intervention as a game-changer for Akim Oda Government Hospital.
“ As a primary facility, we lack neurologists. This intervention fills a critical gap in care, our staff will apply the knowledge gained to improve patient outcomes ”
His remarks highlighted how targeted upskilling and specialist
support can produce immediate gains in clinical quality, particularly in district hospitals often overlooked by larger-scale programmes. Complementing the training and patient consultations, the GBSF and Spine and Neurocare Foundation donated a suite of essential medical supplies to a newly established health centre in Chia, located in the neighbouring Akyemansa District. The equipment package—including otoscopes, ophthalmoscopes, urinalysis kits, blood pressure monitors, bandages, gloves, thermometers, antiseptics, and analgesic gels—will ensure that basic diagnostic and treatment services remain available long after the mission team departs.
This medical outreach reiterates the growing impact of diaspora-led missions in bridging healthcare disparities across Ghana’s rural and peri-urban communities. By combining on-site patient care, capacity development, and equipment donations, the three NGOs not only addressed immediate clinical needs but also laid the groundwork for sustained improvements in neurological and emergency care. For the more than 200 patients evaluated and treated, the screenings offered not just medical interventions but renewed hope for recovery and a promise of better health outcomes in the heart of the Eastern Region.
Source: NGOs train health workers, treats 200 persons Akim Oda | Ghana News Agency
